US can't mediate b/w India & Pak on Kashmir: Obama

Washington, Jun 20: Answering a question on why he was silent on the Kashmir issue after mentions of it earlier, Barack Obama said that US will not mediate between India and Pakistan on this issue and added that dialogue between the two countries is the best way to reduce tension.

"I believe that there are opportunities, maybe not starting with Kashmir but starting with other issues, that Pakistan and India can be in a dialogue together and over time to try to reduce tensions and find areas of common interest," Obama told Pakistan's Dawn TV in an interview.

Obama went on to say that both India and Pakistan are frineds of the United States and that it hurts to see friends fight. But US can not dictate how the neighbours resolve their issues.

"We want to be helpful in that process, but I don't think it's appropriate for us to be the mediators in that process. I think that this is something that the Pakistanis and Indians can take leadership on," Obama added.

OneIndia News